A Taste of Literature: Introducing Hemingway’s Two Signature Cocktails

Is Hemingway more famous as a writer or a drinker?

Honestly, We’re not sure you can take one without the other, so why not read in the same manner?

So, what best to drink while reading Hemingway?

Want to know what to read? We’ve got you covered.

Wine is the obvious choice; Hemingway mentions wine seemingly on every page of most of his novels, and as long as you consume 2 bottles with lunch you will be keeping up with Papa.

How about changing it up with some cocktails? Hemingway drank at the bar where the Bellini was invented in Venice, Harry’s, and at El Floridita famous for barman Constante Ribalaigua Vert’s Daiquiris, Hemingway reputedly holds the bar record for drinking 16 double Daiquiris in one session. This is where the story of Hemingway’s own cocktail recipes begins.

Hemingway lived close to El Floridita and was a regular patron. On one occasion Hemingway is returning from the bathroom, Constante is preparing Daiquiris on the bar, Hemingway cannot pass without a test.
“Not bad, but; no sugar and twice the rum,”
Thus the Hemingway Daiquiri is born, or so the legend tells us. Now, we see no reason any truth should get in the way of this story; a 1937 El Floridita features a ‘E. Hemingway Special’ so it is plausible enough and no contradicting story exists.

Our second Hemingway cocktail is of more definite origin. Death In The Afternoon was Hemingway’s own contribution to a 1935 celebrity cocktail recipe book. In true Hemingway style the description is short and the cocktail deadly.
“Pour one jigger absinthe into a Champagne glass. Add iced Champagne until it attains the proper opalescent milkiness. Drink three to five of these slowly.”
It’s good to have thorough guidance on how many one should drink also.

So whichever you prefer to try, the recipes are below and both are very simple.

Don’t expect to get very far reading though after these.

Hemingway Daiquiri

2 measures white rum
1/2 measures maraschino
3/4 measures lime juice (key lime for authenticity)
1/2 measures grapefruit juice

Shake with ice and serve!